TERM 3, 2026
OUR VISION Every individual discovering their passion on their pathway of learning. OUR PURPOSE To be an inclusive and respectful community that fosters knowledgeable, resilient and culturally connected individuals. OUR MOTTO Always Aim High OUR VALUES Respect, Learning, Community, Creativity OUR EXPLICIT IMPROVEMENT AGENDA Culture of Excellence, Leaders of Learning
Year 8 student, Nate, Year 11 student Charlotte and Year 7 student, Oliver.
News from the Executive Principal .................................... 4 P&C Update......................................................................... 6 Culture & Engagement ...................................................... 8 Junior Secondary............................................................... 10 The Arts ............................................................................... 12 Senior Food Studies............................................................ 16 GALA .................................................................................. 18 Finance Update................................................................. 19 Term 2 Key Dates ............................................................... 25
Thank you to all staff who contributed to this edition of the newsletter and helped share the wonderful things happening across our school community. If you have a story or update you’d like included in a future edition, please email eflou0@eq.edu.au.
FernGroveSHS fernygroveshs
MS KIAH L ANHAM Welcome to our Term 3 newsletter. It has been another successful term at Ferny Grove State High School, with much to celebrate across our school community. Tonight, we celebrate six years of secondary schooling with our Year 12 students at their Formal at The Greek Club. I am very much looking forward to seeing our young men and women dressed up and ready to celebrate their journey with us. It is certainly one of our favourite nights of the year! A special mention must go to the staff who have been instrumental in planning and preparing for this evening. Thank you also to those staff who are giving up their evening to join us and celebrate with our students. I am very proud of our community and the work we do with our students to ensure they discover their passions on their pathway of learning. Our Semester 1 academic data shows that there is much to celebrate, and I would like to share some highlights with you. In Semester 1, across Years 7–9, 91% of our junior secondary students achieved a C or better in English, with 62% achieving a B or A. In Mathematics, 93% of students in Years 7–9 achieved a C or better, with 71% achieving a B or A. These are impressive achievement results! Our engagement data also shows that our Years 7–9 students have an attendance rate of 90%, while 96% received a C or better for behaviour and 94% received a C or better for effort. Well done to our junior secondary students, their teachers and our families for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing our students continue this positive trend into Semester 2. This term, we have also completed our Senior Education and Training (SET) Plans with our Year 10 students. This is an important milestone as our students begin planning their pathway for Years 11 and 12. We are now in the process of finalising subject selections, and I would like to thank our Year 10 families for your engagement throughout this process, as well as our staff who have been instrumental in supporting our Year 10 students on this journey. In Week 9, our Year 12 students will begin their ‘Mock Block’, which is designed to prepare them for their final external examinations in Term 4. I can see how tired our Year 12 students are at this point in the year, and these examinations are an important part of supporting them as they prepare
for Term 4. I encourage our Year 12 students to give their absolute best during this period, as the feedback they receive from their mock examinations will help them identify areas for improvement and prepare as strongly as possible for their final examinations. Our Year 11 students also have an examination block commencing on Friday of Week 9 and concluding in Week 10. I wish all our Year 11 students the very best with their upcoming assessments and encourage them to approach this period with confidence and determination. Finally, on Friday of Week 10, we will hold our final House Cup Challenge Day for the year. Our Head of Department for Culture and Engagement, Mr Marshall, has been working closely with our House Leaders to ensure this will be one of our best Challenge Days yet, with new activities and challenges designed to cater to the strengths and interests of all students. The day will also include the highly anticipated Colour Run, and I have no doubt that students and staff alike will thoroughly enjoy this activity. This day is a wonderful way for our students and staff to celebrate the end of a busy term, while also securing valuable points for their House, with the House Cup trophy still very much up for grabs! I hope our students, staff and families take the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved holiday break when it arrives. It has been another incredibly busy term, and the break provides an important opportunity to rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends. Thank you to our students, staff and families for your continued commitment and support throughout Term 3. I wish everyone a safe, happy and restful holiday break, and I look forward to welcoming you back for our final term of 2026. Warm regards,
Kiah Lanham Executive Principal
YOUR GUIDE TO UNIFORMS, STATIONERY AND BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING.
Getting organised for 2027? Here’s everything you need to know about our Back to School uniform and stationery services. Uniforms Back to School trading hours will commence in November 2026, with extended trading hours available throughout the Back to School period. Details of trading hours will be published on the FGSHS website. Uniform fittings and in-store uniform purchases are APPOINTMENT ONLY. Appointments can be booked online through SimplyBook.me. Stationery The Back to School Stationery Store, located in M Block, will offer 2027 stationery packs and individual stationery purchases. No appointment is required for stationery orders or purchases.
Stationery can be purchased online through Flexischools or by completing an order form available from the FGSHS website. Stationery orders have a 2–3 day turnaround time. Stationery packs can be ordered until Tuesday 26 January 2027 for collection by Thursday 28 January 2027. Flexischools Collections Flexischools orders for uniforms and stationery can be placed for collection during our extended Back to School trading hours. No appointment is required for order collections. All collections will be from M Block during extended trading hours. Keep an eye on the FGSHS website and Facebook page for Back to School trading hours, booking information and further updates.
MORE TASTY CHOICES ARE NOW ON THE MENU! The Ferny Grove SHS Tuckshop is pleased to offer a range of gluten-free (GF) options for students with dietary requirements. From savoury favourites to snacks and treats, there are plenty of GF choices available. To help our Tuckshop team prepare these meals safely and have them ready when needed, GF meals must be pre-ordered between 8:00am and 9:00am on the day of purchase from the selected GF menu. A range of gluten-free snacks, drinks and ice blocks are also available. Please check product packaging for dietary and allergen information. Not sure whether another Tuckshop menu item is suitable for a particular food allergy or dietary requirement? Our Tuckshop team is happy to help. Speak with the Tuckshop between 8:00am and 9:00am on the day of purchase, and our team can check available menu items and ingredients with you. Please note: While we take care when preparing food for dietary requirements, traces of allergens may remain due to shared equipment and food preparation areas.
Building Something Bigger
Celebrating the people, actions and House spirit shaping Term 3 at Ferny Grove SHS.
Small Actions Make a Difference Our Behaviour Bites this term have continued to unpack our school values and what they look like in practice. A recent focus on Respect - treating everyone with courtesy, consideration, respect and dignity encouraged students to think about the impact their actions can have on others.
HOD CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT
Term 3 has brought plenty of energy to Ferny Grove SHS as we continue to focus on the everyday actions that contribute to a positive, respectful and engaging school culture.
The message has been a simple one: the small things matter. The way we speak to others, the choices we make online, including others and speaking up when something is not okay can all have a significant impact on how people feel at school. More recently, we have built on this by exploring how our behaviour also affects the learning of those around us, reinforcing that a positive learning environment is something we all contribute to. Student Leaders Building Their Legacy Our 2026 Student Leadership Team recently came together for another Student Leadership Day, continuing the work they have undertaken throughout the year. With several months still ahead, there is plenty our leaders want to achieve. They have been reflecting on what they have helped create so far, planning upcoming House activities and looking at ways to continue strengthening student involvement across the school. There is also an eye towards what comes next. Later this year, our current leaders will begin to pass the baton to the next cohort, and their challenge is to leave the House and student leadership programs even stronger than they found them. The ideas, traditions and opportunities they create now will provide the foundation for our future student leaders to build upon. The Race for the House Cup The 2026 House Cup race is well and truly alive, and with the finish line getting closer, every point is becoming increasingly important. Throughout the year, students have contributed through academic achievement, sporting and cultural events, Ferny Value Points, attendance, House activities and countless other opportunities. The leaderboard continues to move, and with Houses battling for position, there is still plenty of time for the competition to change. That sets up an exciting finish to the year, with the biggest opportunity for points still to come. House Cup Challenge Day – 18 September The highlight of the House calendar returns on Friday 18 September, when students come together for our Term 3 House Cup Challenge Day. Academic, cultural and sporting challenges will once again provide something for everyone, but this Challenge Day carries a little extra significance. With the House Cup race so close, the points available on the day could have a major say in who ultimately lifts the trophy. Expect plenty of House colour, friendly rivalry and some very determined Houses looking for every point they can find. The House Cup is built across an entire year through thousands of individual contributions from students. On 18 September, however, there will be a lot on the line. Six Houses. One Challenge Day. And one House Cup getting closer to being decided.
Building Connection and Belonging Through Transition Experiences
This year, we have proudly hosted 12 school tours, welcoming more than 240 families to our campus. During these tours, families have had the opportunity to hear directly from our Executive Team about our school vision and the Ferny Difference, while exploring our grounds and learning spaces. These visits provide valuable insight into what makes Ferny Grove State High School a vibrant and supportive place for young people to learn and grow.
HOD JUNIOR SECONDARY
At Ferny Grove State High School, we believe that a successful transition from primary school to high school begins well before a student’s first day in Year 7. Creating opportunities for students and families to become familiar with our school, meet staff and experience our learning culture is an important part of building connection, confidence and a sense of belonging within the Ferny community.
For students seeking a more hands-on introduction to high school, we have also hosted three FGSHS Experience Days. Across these events, hundreds of prospective students from Year 3 onwards have joined us for a day of discovery and participation. Students have enjoyed engaging activities connected to our signature programs, including German Immersion, FAST and LEAF, and have explored unique facilities such as The Farm, our industrial kitchens and the STEM Maker Space, and learn about the importance of our values, house structure and how these are put into action on the House Challenge Cup days. These experiences highlight the diverse opportunities available at Ferny Grove State High School and showcase the many ways students can pursue their passions alongside their core high school learning.
Industrial
kitchens
We are excited to offer one more opportunity for families to experience Ferny in 2026, with our final FGSHS Experience Day to be held on Wednesday 21 October (Term 4). We encourage interested families to join us for this special event. Following these transition opportunities, we look forward to welcoming our newest community members for their 2027 High School Orientation Day on Tuesday 1 December. Orientation Day is an important milestone, helping students strengthen their confidence, meet peers and staff, and begin their journey as Ferny students. If your family, or someone you know, is planning for a student to join Ferny Grove State High School in 2027, please ensure that all enrolment paperwork is completed by 1 November. This will ensure families receive all communications and invitations relating to Orientation and transition events. We thank our current students, staff and families who continue to make Ferny Grove State High School a welcoming and connected community, and we look forward to meeting the next generation of Ferny students.
The Arts Department has had another busy and inspiring term, with our students continuing to explore, experiment and express themselves across a range of creative disciplines. From developing new skills in Visual Art and Drama to stepping beyond the classroom on enriching excursions, students have embraced opportunities to discover new ideas and challenge their creativity.
This edition shines a light on some of the wonderful work, experiences and achievements taking place across our Arts programs, showcasing the talent, imagination and enthusiasm of our students.
Year 7 & 8 Visual Art classes are well underway on their “Creature from Elsewhere” unit. Students have used AI to develop unique creatures inspired by two Australian native animals, with the year 8 German Immersion class combining one native Australian animal with one native German animal. Each class then developing their design in clay. Students have explored clay hand building techniques, sculpting lovely textured forms. Students are currently working on their mixed media habitat backdrops for their creatures, employing layers of watercolours, stencils and mark making to create their habitats. Mrs Dray, Ms Barrat and Ms Furness are impressed with the students creative and imaginative approach to the tasks and cant wait to see the students finished products at the end of the term.
Our Year 10 Visual Art students are currently artists communicate ideas about identity, p
Students have recently learnt a range of ton detailed facial feature studies to develop th researched influential portrait artists, comple compositional sketches inspired by these ar techniques and approaches to portraiture.
Students are now about to begin their final bringing together the skills, knowledge and the unit. They will explore figurative and sym considering how their artistic choices can c a person’s physical appearance.
Our Year 12 Visual Arts in are currently working on th - the D2 Transform & Extend
For this assessment, student Students experiment with th individual style and creative a
Students build on the researc aesthetic and conceptual links
We look forward to seeing the d
HOD THE ARTS
Year 11 Experimental Task - Self Narrative Box Unit 2 - ‘Art as Code’ explores how artists use visual conventions, symbols and signs to communicate ideas and meaning. Students investigate how artworks can be "read" and interpreted by analysing and creating artworks that use visual language to convey messages. Year 11 Visual Art students were challenged to create a self-narrative artwork using a small recycled box. Their task was to communicate aspects of their personal story within the limited space of the box, encouraging creative problem-solving and symbolic thinking. Students could transform the inside, outside and lid of the box in any way they chose. They were encouraged to paint, collage, stitch, bind, cut, fold, unravel or reshape the box, and to incorporate found objects, images, words or hanging elements. The focus was on producing a unique and imaginative artwork that used the box as a creative vessel for personal expression.
y exploring portraiture, investigating how personality and personal meaning.
nal techniques and completed heir drawing skills. They have also eted artist studies, and developed rtists, exploring different media,
mixed-media portrait drawings, ideas developed throughout mbolic representations while communicate much more than
n Practice (VAP) students heir final assessment for the year d Resolved Folio.
ts research and explore one or more artists and/or artisans to inspire their own collection of resolved artworks. he artists’ aesthetic approaches, ideas, techniques and practices, developing these influences into their own art practice.
ch and experimentation undertaken in their D1 assessment, creating resolved artworks that demonstrate clear s to their chosen artists while showcasing their own creative ideas and developing skills.
diverse and creative collections they produce. Stay tuned to see their finished artworks!
It has been a busy time for our Drama students with productions shared with community, concept work being completed before and after school and extension programs such as Inception and QTC Youth Ensemble production of School Dance. Congratulations to all of our students who constantly demonstrate the school values of learning in a respectful manner whilst building and connecting to community. Creativity has been constantly on show, whether it be in the classrooms, rehearsal spaces or on stage. Regards, Melissa Rowse - HoD The Arts
Year 12 Drama presents
Transforming shakespeare
monday 10Th augusT
As You Like It
audiTorium
The Merchant of Venice
6.30 pm
ferny grove sTaTe high school 2026
Year 11 Drama Production
Wednesday
11 B
Brokenville by Philip Ridley
6.00 pm
2nd September
11 C
11 A
Girl who cried Wolf
Where in the world is Frank Sparrow?
6.45 pm
7.30 pm
by Ange Betzien
Ferny Grove State High School 2026
Auditorium
by Ange Betzien
DRAMA Inception presentation - play wrighting Violet, Miriam and Chloe
Year 11 Drama at QPAC
Collaborative Creation
REAL-WORLD LEARNING, PRACTICAL SKILLS AND A TASTE OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY Senior Food Studies students have been enjoying a range of authentic, real-world learning experiences this semester, developing valuable hospitality and food industry skills. Our Year 10 students have explored methods of cookery while learning the fundamentals of function planning and event organisation. Year 11 students have immersed themselves in casual dining and bar and barista basics, culminating in the successful delivery of a lunchtime café experience for staff. Our Year 12 Certificate II Hospitality students have
been busy applying their food safety knowledge in a variety of practical settings, including running pop-up breakfast cafés for students and staff, preparing and serving canteen meal deals, and showcasing their fine dining service skills at the Technologies Showcase evening. These hands-on experiences provide students with the opportunity to build confidence, develop industry-standard skills and gain a genuine insight into the exciting world of hospitality.
Lights, Music, GALA!
Celebrating the extraordinary talent, dedication and passion of our students and staff across three spectacular nights of music. Over three spectacular nights, one of the biggest events on our school calendar came to life: our annual Music GALA!
incredible music staff and the many people who work behind the scenes to bring an event of this scale together.
From powerful performances and incredible ensembles to soloists who took the stage and absolutely owned it, GALA showcased the extraordinary talent, dedication and passion of our staff and students.
It was three nights of music, energy, nerves, excitement and plenty of moments that made us incredibly proud to be part of the Ferny community!
Behind every performance were countless hours of rehearsals, practice, teamwork and commitment from our students, supported by our
A massive congratulations to every student who performed, rehearsed, supported and contributed to making GALA such a memorable celebration.
Finance Update 2026 Student Resource Scheme 2026 Student Resource Scheme invoices, please make payment to finalise any overdue balance. Payment Window in Administration Our Payment Window in our Administration office will be open from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week during the school term. Debtor Statements Debtor Statements are generated at the end of each month. This assists parents and carers to track their current invoices. Please pay invoices by the due date. Please do not use a Debtor Statement BPOINT link to pay an invoice. Please use the BPOINT hyperlink on the original emailed invoice to make a payment or use QParents. If you have a credit on your student/s account this will be represented as a negative figure e.g. -$25.00. Applying a credit on the student account to an invoice To request a credit be applied, just reply to the invoice email (easy and convenient at all times of your day throughout the year) and request or call our Accounts Receivable Officer, Mieke Brooks on 3550 5820, happy to assist. Excursions and Camps Please complete the Online Consent via QParents to indicate whether your student is attending or not attending. This assists the organising teacher with managing the excursion and will allow our Accounts Receivable Officer to manage invoicing as required. Please pay invoices by the due date to ensure your student may attend.
2026 Year 11 students – orders for 2027 Senior Jersey For your student to be eligible to order a 2027 Senior Jersey, please ensure your student’s account is up to date now. Further details regarding ordering will be provided by Ms Casey, Year Level Co soon. Year 10 Semi-Formal (S.U.I.T.S) Year 10 Semi-Formal (S.U.I.T.S) will be on Friday, 27 November 2026. Invoices have been issued to eligible students, please complete payment and online consent via QParents by 23 October 2026. Year 11 Biology Camp Please complete payment and online consent via QParents by 11 September 2026. Refund Guidelines Available from our website: Refund Guidelines
PRE-ORDER HERE!
BOOKINGS OPEN SOON! Monda 19th October (Years 3-5) Find out how we support every student to discover their passion on their pathway of learning at Ferny Grove. Your child will experience firsthand our state-of-the-art facilities, innovative signature programs and our strong sense house spirit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO BOOK: WWW.FERNYGROVESHS.EQ.EDU.AU
N EXT TER M’S L INEUP
WEEK 1 Mon 5/10
King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Tues 6/10
FM - JS/SS PACE Prog Yr 11 Unit 3 Commences Yr 7 LEAF Incursion: Half day (A) Yr 8 LEAF Incursion: Half day (A) Yr 9 FAST Ref Qual: 9am–12 noon Yr 7 2027 Data Gathering: F–P2 (PRSS) Whole School Assembly: P3 (Y) Yr 7 2027 Data Gathering: F–P2 (FGSS) Yr 7–10 FAST + 11&12 Team All Schools Touch: All day (Gold Coast) Yr 7–10 FAST + 11&12 Team All Schools Touch: All day (Gold Coast) Yr 12 Crazy Sock/‘Tie’ Day Yr 7–10 FAST + 11&12 Team All Schools Touch: All day (Gold Coast) Yr 11/12 LSK Excursion: P3 (Brookside) Yr 11 ART Excursion: QAGOMA Yr 9 DRA Excursion: QPAC
Wed 7/10
Thurs 8/10 Fri 9/10
WEEK 2 Mon 12/10
Tues 13/10 Wed 14/10
Thurs 15/10
Fri 16/10
Mental Health Week Yr 7 2027 Data Gathering: F–P2 (FGSS) Yr 7 FAST Excursion: Suncorp or Kayo Yr 10 ART Incursion Workshop: All day Yr 7 2027 Data Gathering: F–P2 (FGSS) Senior Art Show: 5:30pm (A) Yr 11 BIO Camp: Springbrook MSG Meeting: 6:30pm (V5) Yr 7 2027 Student/Parent Info Night: 5:30pm (A) Yr 11 BIO Camp: All day (Springbrook) Yr 7&8 FAST Broncos Development Day Yr 10 Immunisations LPSG Meeting: 5pm (L) Yr 7 & 8 Assessment Planners due Yr 12 ‘Anything but a bag’ Day Yr 11 BIO Camp: All day (Springbrook) Yr 9&10 FAST Primary Gala Day Yr 11/12 LSK Excursion: P3 & 4
WEEK 3 Mon 19/10 Tues 20/10 Wed 21/10 Thurs 22/10 Fri 23/10
Yr 3–6 FGSHS Experience Day Oktoberfest: Lunch activities Junior Assembly: P3 (Y) Senior Awards Rehearsal: 9:05–11am Senior Awards Night: 6pm (Y) NON-UNIFORM DAY Yr 12 Last day in classes Yr 12 Dress as your Favourite Teacher Yr 11/12 LSK Excursion: All day (City) Yr 7 & 8 Volleyball Schools Cup Yr 9&10 FAST Primary Gala Day Yr 7–12 ICM Concert 3 Workshop Debaters Lunch: Second break (N) Yr 7 & 8 Volleyball Schools Cup
WEEK 4 Mon 26/10 Tues 27/10
Wed 28/10 Thurs 29/10
Fri 30/10
Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 11 VHO RSA Course: All day (TBC) P&C Meeting: 6pm (online) Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 7–9 FAST Rugby League SEQ 9’s Yr 7 2027 Student/Parent Info Night: Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) SLT - Strategic Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 6 SWD Transition: F–P3 (O) Yr 7–9 FAST Touch Offside World Tag: Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Day for Daniel Yr 7&8 DRA Incursion: ‘The Stones’
WEEK 5 Mon 2/11
Tues 3/11 Wed 4/11 Thurs 5/11
Fri 6/11
Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 7 2027 High School FGSHS Experience Day: All day (TBC) Tsuchiura Nichidai Study Tour Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 9 NWD Gala Day Yr 7–9 FAST Rugby League SEQ 9’s Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 10 FAST Broncos Industry Tour Yr 7–11 Rugby League Matt Gillett Cup 14yr Girls Futsal Champion of Champions Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 9 & 12 Student Leadership Planning Day Yr 7–11 Rugby League Matt Gillett Cup 14yr Girls Futsal Champion of Champions Yr 6 FAST Orientation
WEEK 6 Mon 9/11 Tues 10/11 Wed 11/11 Thurs 12/11 Fri 13/11
Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) APSG Meeting: 6pm (S) Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 6 GI Orientation: 1–3pm (XG11) Yr 6, 10, 12 GI Pass the Baton Ceremony Remembrance Day Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 8&10 FAST Incursion QUT Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 6 SWD Transition: F–P3 (O) Yr 12 External Exam Block (H) Yr 7–9 Engaged Learners Morning Tea
FernGroveSHS fernygroveshs Events Calendar
* Correct at time of publishing
26 McGinn Road, Ferny Grove Qld 4055 PO Box 128, Ferny Hills Qld 4055 (07) 3550 5777
www.fernygroveshs.eq.edu.au | Always Aim High